To the Point
Community Organizing as a White House Strategy
President Obama turned community organizer once again today, trying to rev-up last year's grassroots army of volunteers. Will they use email, Facebook, phone calls and local meetings to help him govern the way they helped him campaign? Also, GM bondholders accept a government deal to help ease the company into bankruptcy, and North Korea's grievances against the US and neighboring countries in Asia.
By Warren Olney • • 50m ListenPresident Obama turned community organizer once again today, trying to rev-up last year's grassroots army of volunteers. Will they use email, Facebook, phone calls and local meetings to help him govern the way they helped him campaign? Also, GM bondholders accept a government deal to help ease the company into bankruptcy, and allied forces have increased alert levels in response to what they call "a grave threat" from North Korea. We talk with a veteran of 11 visits to North Korea about this week's nuclear test and threats of escalation.
Banner image: Barack Obama's presidential campaign headquarters in Berkeley, California. Photo: Paragon
In this episode
3 storiesGM Bondholders Accept Deal, Bankruptcy Still on the Table
Some holders of General Motors bonds have accepted a government-brokered deal to ease the company into Chapter 11 bankruptcy early next week. The Treasury Department will provide more than $50 billion and end up owning 72.5% of a new, much smaller GM. Rick Newman reports for US News and World Report , where he is chief business correspondent.
Read the story8 minThe Obama White House and the Permanent Campaign
After winning the White House, President Obama said his volunteer army of 13 million would play a crucial role in his administration. Reincarnated at the Democratic National Committee, his campaign apparatus is now called Organizing for America .
Read the story33 minMissile Tests and Tension on the Korean Peninsula
The US and South Korea have raised their alert levels to counter North Korea's recent underground nuclear test and test-firing of short-range missiles. When the UN Security Council responded with tough talk , Pyongyang threatened "military action" if South Korea joined other nations in trying to stop North Korean shipping.
Read the story10 min
